We all saw it coming but the closing and sale of Ridge Soaring still stings. Its kind of hard to believe that the mecca of ridge flying, a type of soaring "invented" Tom Knauff and KS, is no more. I know that you can still get a tow at Mifflin,Blairstown and other places along the Appalachian ridges but none will be able to match Ridge Soaring. As a mediocre ridge pilot at best, I got to hang around with some of the best in the world. And they did come from all over the world. The bunkhouse
Mike
CT & 1DB
P.S. Nice article Dave. If I'd known about the auction, I definitely would have been there.
On Tuesday, April 19, 2022 at 1:25:12 PM UTC-4, mdfa...@gmail.com wrote:Blairstown and other places along the Appalachian ridges but none will be able to match Ridge Soaring. As a mediocre ridge pilot at best, I got to hang around with some of the best in the world. And they did come from all over the world. The bunkhouse
We all saw it coming but the closing and sale of Ridge Soaring still stings. Its kind of hard to believe that the mecca of ridge flying, a type of soaring "invented" Tom Knauff and KS, is no more. I know that you can still get a tow at Mifflin,
certain mystique about it. When grandpa was visiting I took him for a nice ridge flight in one of the G103s, since he was a glider-pilot himself but had to give it up for health reasons. He was in awe about the Bald Eagle Ridge. He had flown in theMike
CT & 1DB
P.S. Nice article Dave. If I'd known about the auction, I definitely would have been there.I am really saddened by the news that Ridge Soaring is no more. I read about the place as a teenage student pilot in Germany - little did I know then that I would have the opportunity to fly my H301 off of that field a decade later. That place had a
Besides some nice ridge flights, I also experienced my first wave flight over the Central PA plateau.Heartbreaking that nobody out there, not even family, could keep this treasure of a site going. Tom & Doris will be my heroes forever.
Good memories .....!
Uli
'AS'
On Tuesday, April 19, 2022 at 11:44:16 PM UTC-4, AS wrote:Blairstown and other places along the Appalachian ridges but none will be able to match Ridge Soaring. As a mediocre ridge pilot at best, I got to hang around with some of the best in the world. And they did come from all over the world. The bunkhouse
On Tuesday, April 19, 2022 at 1:25:12 PM UTC-4, mdfa...@gmail.com wrote:
We all saw it coming but the closing and sale of Ridge Soaring still stings. Its kind of hard to believe that the mecca of ridge flying, a type of soaring "invented" Tom Knauff and KS, is no more. I know that you can still get a tow at Mifflin,
certain mystique about it. When grandpa was visiting I took him for a nice ridge flight in one of the G103s, since he was a glider-pilot himself but had to give it up for health reasons. He was in awe about the Bald Eagle Ridge. He had flown in theMike
CT & 1DB
P.S. Nice article Dave. If I'd known about the auction, I definitely would have been there.I am really saddened by the news that Ridge Soaring is no more. I read about the place as a teenage student pilot in Germany - little did I know then that I would have the opportunity to fly my H301 off of that field a decade later. That place had a
Besides some nice ridge flights, I also experienced my first wave flight over the Central PA plateau.
Good memories .....!
UliHeartbreaking that nobody out there, not even family, could keep this treasure of a site going. Tom & Doris will be my heroes forever.
'AS'
On Saturday, April 23, 2022 at 7:22:23 PM UTC-4, sgs...@gmail.com wrote:Blairstown and other places along the Appalachian ridges but none will be able to match Ridge Soaring. As a mediocre ridge pilot at best, I got to hang around with some of the best in the world. And they did come from all over the world. The bunkhouse
On Tuesday, April 19, 2022 at 11:44:16 PM UTC-4, AS wrote:
On Tuesday, April 19, 2022 at 1:25:12 PM UTC-4, mdfa...@gmail.com wrote:
We all saw it coming but the closing and sale of Ridge Soaring still stings. Its kind of hard to believe that the mecca of ridge flying, a type of soaring "invented" Tom Knauff and KS, is no more. I know that you can still get a tow at Mifflin,
a certain mystique about it. When grandpa was visiting I took him for a nice ridge flight in one of the G103s, since he was a glider-pilot himself but had to give it up for health reasons. He was in awe about the Bald Eagle Ridge. He had flown in theMike
CT & 1DB
P.S. Nice article Dave. If I'd known about the auction, I definitely would have been there.I am really saddened by the news that Ridge Soaring is no more. I read about the place as a teenage student pilot in Germany - little did I know then that I would have the opportunity to fly my H301 off of that field a decade later. That place had
things to continue. Now it will have to start all over almost from scratch.Besides some nice ridge flights, I also experienced my first wave flight over the Central PA plateau.
Good memories .....!
Sadly our sport is mostly populated by entitled "customers" and sparsely populated by "providers". For years the customers have been standing by waiting for new providers. Had some of these people banded together it may have been possible to allowUliHeartbreaking that nobody out there, not even family, could keep this treasure of a site going. Tom & Doris will be my heroes forever.
'AS'
UH100% correct!! Old Bob, The Purist
But it is still cheaper than therapy, you don't ever see a glider trailer parked in front of a psychiatrists office now do you?!
That is sad news about Ridge Soaring closing.
In the Southwest things are grim.
Telluride Soaring; Closed
Durango Val Air Soaring; Closed
Salida Colorado Soaring; Closed
Crawford Colorado Soaring; Closed
Aspen Soaring; Closed
Parowan Soaring; Closed
Turf Soaring; Closed
Ely Soaring; Closed
Sundance Soaring, New Mexico, closing this fall.
Thats 9 operations for those who are counting.
I was a co - owner in Telluride Soaring, Its tough in the trenches.
Low profit, high liability, High overhead; its a lot of work to give rides. We had a hard time finding and keeping tow pilots.
Very expensive keeping the towplane in the air.
I have to travel great distances now to go soaring. And so it goes.
But it is still cheaper than therapy, you don't ever see a glider trailer parked in front of a psychiatrists office now do you?!
Nick
T
I was curious if the facilities mentioned were all commercial operations? Telluride Soaring; ClosedWalt, there are many more that have closed through the years and club have also been victims of closings as well. I go back several years ago in Florida alone there was soaring operations in Naples, Miami, Okeechobee, North Palm, Arcadia, Labelle ,
Durango Val Air Soaring; Closed
Salida Colorado Soaring; Closed
Crawford Colorado Soaring; Closed
Aspen Soaring; Closed
Parowan Soaring; Closed
Turf Soaring; Closed
Ely Soaring; Closed
Sundance Soaring, New Mexico, closing this fall.
Walt Connelly
Former Tow Pilot
Now Happy Helicopter Pilot
I was curious if the facilities mentioned were all commercial operations?snipped
Sundance Soaring, New Mexico, closing this fall.
Walt Connelly
Former Tow Pilot
Now Happy Helicopter Pilot
On Monday, April 25, 2022 at 1:24:26 PM UTC-4, waltco...@aol.com wrote:Winter Haven, Pierson and probably a few more that escape my memory. We had a wonderful club in Miami, Thermal Research, it was the cream of the crop among glider pilots in Florida, it closed during the mid 90's. Eileen and I moved to Vero from Miami in
I was curious if the facilities mentioned were all commercial operations? Telluride Soaring; ClosedWalt, there are many more that have closed through the years and club have also been victims of closings as well. I go back several years ago in Florida alone there was soaring operations in Naples, Miami, Okeechobee, North Palm, Arcadia, Labelle ,
Durango Val Air Soaring; Closed
Salida Colorado Soaring; Closed
Crawford Colorado Soaring; Closed
Aspen Soaring; Closed
Parowan Soaring; Closed
Turf Soaring; Closed
Ely Soaring; Closed
Sundance Soaring, New Mexico, closing this fall.
Walt Connelly
Former Tow Pilot
Now Happy Helicopter Pilot
The private group up at Leeward were active up until Scotty's death and then that activity curtailed and now a few still have gliders and activity has dropped off. My great friend Dave bought a self launch and is continuing the activity there which isgreat to see.
The common denominator in most cases for clubs has been the consumption of land for development purposes, we may see that ourselves as rapid growth in Florida means land consumption and expansion of communities. At this time I am actively looking tobuy a piece of land a bit further west from our location and develop it as we did at FD25, which is currently where our home is located. Purchasing 100 acres and dividing it into 10 lots which complies with the comprehensive land use guidelines is the
The remaining lots would be available for hangar home construction sites, or hangar with an RV pad. Owners would be able to sell their properties at their own discretion.
I spent the past few days looking at location property and have discussed this plan with many club members, you may be surprised at how many individuals have shown interest.
Well, we would like to keep things rolling here on the beautiful coastline of South Florida, it would be sad to see more soaring clubs and commercial operators head into the sunset.
On another note I informed my friend Dave that there will be no more Christmas cards coming his way, a huge price to pay for buying a motorglider. Old Bob, The Purist
On Monday, April 25, 2022 at 10:24:26 AM UTC-7, waltco...@aol.com wrote:Cindy B, I could not agree MORE. The staff, either volunteer or paid deserves more respect than you see them receive. I was a line boy in my youth and after Vietnam while in college. Some people in aviation think you are their gopher, their slave. As
I was curious if the facilities mentioned were all commercial operations?snipped
Sundance Soaring, New Mexico, closing this fall.Walt:
Walt Connelly
Former Tow Pilot
Now Happy Helicopter Pilot
Yes. They were/are.
Years ago, many many years ago .....
I asked a soaring operation if they wished to transfer responsibility
to me, as a new "owner". Transferring operational responsibility immediately,
and ownership over a short term. That operation promptly presumed that
MANY people would be interested in "outbidding" me, and created an RFP
which was passed about at a long-ago Convention.
I laughed privately, at the time.
This resulted in them having many calls of curiosity, all tire kickers.
It netted many calls to me asking if I would like to move out of state to --
Ridge Soaring - Tom & Doris
Southwest Soaring at Caddo Mills - AC and Mary Williams
A couple sites in Colorado
A site in FL, A site in the NorthEast,
A site in AZ, and perhaps others I don't recall. I was astounded at the number
of folks looking to bow out, even then.
And of those offers, Tom & Doris held on the longest. I wish them nothing but happiness,
delight in each other's company and with friends, and a huge relief from the grind of continuing to keep everything together. It is a testament to the love of soaring that ANY human ties themselves to running a glider FBO.
If anyone on a glider field has anything to say to the "Staff" other than THANK YOU.... for giving me a place to play..... or
How can I help Your Day go easier? --
they should be excused from the playground.
"Staff" includes club officers and club daily service organizers.
I wore the FBO hat for two decades. A thank-you goes a long way.
Tom & Doris -- Thank You.
I was blessed with a chance to fly with Doris there,
while I was still in my first logbook.
Cindy B
That is sad news about Ridge Soaring closing.
In the Southwest things are grim.
Telluride Soaring; Closed
Durango Val Air Soaring; Closed
Salida Colorado Soaring; Closed
Crawford Colorado Soaring; Closed
Aspen Soaring; Closed
Parowan Soaring; Closed
Turf Soaring; Closed
Ely Soaring; Closed
Sundance Soaring, New Mexico, closing this fall.
Thats 9 operations for those who are counting.
I was a co - owner in Telluride Soaring, Its tough in the trenches.
Low profit, high liability, High overhead; its a lot of work to give rides. We had a hard time finding and keeping tow pilots.
Very expensive keeping the towplane in the air.
I have to travel great distances now to go soaring. And so it goes.
But it is still cheaper than therapy, you don't ever see a glider trailer parked in front of a psychiatrists office now do you?!
Nick
T
Bobwith the pronouns they/them rather than he/him.
Not to hijack this thread but I spoke to Dave a couple of days ago. Since Dave does not subscribe to this list I was asked to let you know that Dave now identifies 100% as a self-launcher has further requested that he and the motorglider be referred to
BruceBruce, thanks for the relay regarding the request, I think the pronoun they/them will not really describe Dave as I have known him for 45 years. Maybe the correct pronoun would be she/him, I understand that he was in Ocala looking for a new wardrobe to
Weirsdale Glider Club
On Monday, April 25, 2022 at 1:24:26 PM UTC-4, waltco...@aol.com wrote:Winter Haven, Pierson and probably a few more that escape my memory. We had a wonderful club in Miami, Thermal Research, it was the cream of the crop among glider pilots in Florida, it closed during the mid 90's. Eileen and I moved to Vero from Miami in
I was curious if the facilities mentioned were all commercial operations? Telluride Soaring; ClosedWalt, there are many more that have closed through the years and club have also been victims of closings as well. I go back several years ago in Florida alone there was soaring operations in Naples, Miami, Okeechobee, North Palm, Arcadia, Labelle ,
Durango Val Air Soaring; Closed
Salida Colorado Soaring; Closed
Crawford Colorado Soaring; Closed
Aspen Soaring; Closed
Parowan Soaring; Closed
Turf Soaring; Closed
Ely Soaring; Closed
Sundance Soaring, New Mexico, closing this fall.
Walt Connelly
Former Tow Pilot
Now Happy Helicopter Pilot
The private group up at Leeward were active up until Scotty's death and then that activity curtailed and now a few still have gliders and activity has dropped off. My great friend Dave bought a self launch and is continuing the activity there which isgreat to see.
The common denominator in most cases for clubs has been the consumption of land for development purposes, we may see that ourselves as rapid growth in Florida means land consumption and expansion of communities. At this time I am actively looking tobuy a piece of land a bit further west from our location and develop it as we did at FD25, which is currently where our home is located. Purchasing 100 acres and dividing it into 10 lots which complies with the comprehensive land use guidelines is the
The remaining lots would be available for hangar home construction sites, or hangar with an RV pad. Owners would be able to sell their properties at their own discretion.Count me in for a quarter-acre🤷
I spent the past few days looking at location property and have discussed this plan with many club members, you may be surprised at how many individuals have shown interest.
Well, we would like to keep things rolling here on the beautiful coastline of South Florida, it would be sad to see more soaring clubs and commercial operators head into the sunset.
On another note I informed my friend Dave that there will be no more Christmas cards coming his way, a huge price to pay for buying a motorglider. Old Bob, The Purist
On Monday, April 25, 2022 at 8:46:00 PM UTC-4, youngbl...@gmail.com wrote:Winter Haven, Pierson and probably a few more that escape my memory. We had a wonderful club in Miami, Thermal Research, it was the cream of the crop among glider pilots in Florida, it closed during the mid 90's. Eileen and I moved to Vero from Miami in
On Monday, April 25, 2022 at 1:24:26 PM UTC-4, waltco...@aol.com wrote:
I was curious if the facilities mentioned were all commercial operations?Walt, there are many more that have closed through the years and club have also been victims of closings as well. I go back several years ago in Florida alone there was soaring operations in Naples, Miami, Okeechobee, North Palm, Arcadia, Labelle ,
Telluride Soaring; Closed
Durango Val Air Soaring; Closed
Salida Colorado Soaring; Closed
Crawford Colorado Soaring; Closed
Aspen Soaring; Closed
Parowan Soaring; Closed
Turf Soaring; Closed
Ely Soaring; Closed
Sundance Soaring, New Mexico, closing this fall.
Walt Connelly
Former Tow Pilot
Now Happy Helicopter Pilot
is great to see.The private group up at Leeward were active up until Scotty's death and then that activity curtailed and now a few still have gliders and activity has dropped off. My great friend Dave bought a self launch and is continuing the activity there which
buy a piece of land a bit further west from our location and develop it as we did at FD25, which is currently where our home is located. Purchasing 100 acres and dividing it into 10 lots which complies with the comprehensive land use guidelines is theThe common denominator in most cases for clubs has been the consumption of land for development purposes, we may see that ourselves as rapid growth in Florida means land consumption and expansion of communities. At this time I am actively looking to
Last of the big spenders, only ten or none. I have ten people already verbally committed, I will let you pitch a tent and use the porta potty. Old Bob, The PuristThe remaining lots would be available for hangar home construction sites, or hangar with an RV pad. Owners would be able to sell their properties at their own discretion.Count me in for a quarter-acre🤷
I spent the past few days looking at location property and have discussed this plan with many club members, you may be surprised at how many individuals have shown interest.
Well, we would like to keep things rolling here on the beautiful coastline of South Florida, it would be sad to see more soaring clubs and commercial operators head into the sunset.
On another note I informed my friend Dave that there will be no more Christmas cards coming his way, a huge price to pay for buying a motorglider. Old Bob, The Purist
On Thursday, April 28, 2022 at 9:30:33 PM UTC-4, sgs...@gmail.com wrote:Winter Haven, Pierson and probably a few more that escape my memory. We had a wonderful club in Miami, Thermal Research, it was the cream of the crop among glider pilots in Florida, it closed during the mid 90's. Eileen and I moved to Vero from Miami in
On Monday, April 25, 2022 at 8:46:00 PM UTC-4, youngbl...@gmail.com wrote:
On Monday, April 25, 2022 at 1:24:26 PM UTC-4, waltco...@aol.com wrote:
I was curious if the facilities mentioned were all commercial operations?Walt, there are many more that have closed through the years and club have also been victims of closings as well. I go back several years ago in Florida alone there was soaring operations in Naples, Miami, Okeechobee, North Palm, Arcadia, Labelle ,
Telluride Soaring; Closed
Durango Val Air Soaring; Closed
Salida Colorado Soaring; Closed
Crawford Colorado Soaring; Closed
Aspen Soaring; Closed
Parowan Soaring; Closed
Turf Soaring; Closed
Ely Soaring; Closed
Sundance Soaring, New Mexico, closing this fall.
Walt Connelly
Former Tow Pilot
Now Happy Helicopter Pilot
is great to see.The private group up at Leeward were active up until Scotty's death and then that activity curtailed and now a few still have gliders and activity has dropped off. My great friend Dave bought a self launch and is continuing the activity there which
to buy a piece of land a bit further west from our location and develop it as we did at FD25, which is currently where our home is located. Purchasing 100 acres and dividing it into 10 lots which complies with the comprehensive land use guidelines is theThe common denominator in most cases for clubs has been the consumption of land for development purposes, we may see that ourselves as rapid growth in Florida means land consumption and expansion of communities. At this time I am actively looking
Thanks, Bob. One of the things that's keeping people out of soaring is the perceived cost. Sorry I can't fund 10 acres or an $80k ship with a ClearNav so guess I should move on. Or, rock on with Libelle and tent.Last of the big spenders, only ten or none. I have ten people already verbally committed, I will let you pitch a tent and use the porta potty. Old Bob, The PuristThe remaining lots would be available for hangar home construction sites, or hangar with an RV pad. Owners would be able to sell their properties at their own discretion.Count me in for a quarter-acre🤷
I spent the past few days looking at location property and have discussed this plan with many club members, you may be surprised at how many individuals have shown interest.
Well, we would like to keep things rolling here on the beautiful coastline of South Florida, it would be sad to see more soaring clubs and commercial operators head into the sunset.
On another note I informed my friend Dave that there will be no more Christmas cards coming his way, a huge price to pay for buying a motorglider. Old Bob, The Purist
On Friday, April 29, 2022 at 3:55:00 PM UTC-4, youngbl...@gmail.com wrote:, Winter Haven, Pierson and probably a few more that escape my memory. We had a wonderful club in Miami, Thermal Research, it was the cream of the crop among glider pilots in Florida, it closed during the mid 90's. Eileen and I moved to Vero from Miami
On Thursday, April 28, 2022 at 9:30:33 PM UTC-4, sgs...@gmail.com wrote:
On Monday, April 25, 2022 at 8:46:00 PM UTC-4, youngbl...@gmail.com wrote:
On Monday, April 25, 2022 at 1:24:26 PM UTC-4, waltco...@aol.com wrote:
I was curious if the facilities mentioned were all commercial operations?Walt, there are many more that have closed through the years and club have also been victims of closings as well. I go back several years ago in Florida alone there was soaring operations in Naples, Miami, Okeechobee, North Palm, Arcadia, Labelle
Telluride Soaring; Closed
Durango Val Air Soaring; Closed
Salida Colorado Soaring; Closed
Crawford Colorado Soaring; Closed
Aspen Soaring; Closed
Parowan Soaring; Closed
Turf Soaring; Closed
Ely Soaring; Closed
Sundance Soaring, New Mexico, closing this fall.
Walt Connelly
Former Tow Pilot
Now Happy Helicopter Pilot
which is great to see.The private group up at Leeward were active up until Scotty's death and then that activity curtailed and now a few still have gliders and activity has dropped off. My great friend Dave bought a self launch and is continuing the activity there
to buy a piece of land a bit further west from our location and develop it as we did at FD25, which is currently where our home is located. Purchasing 100 acres and dividing it into 10 lots which complies with the comprehensive land use guidelines is theThe common denominator in most cases for clubs has been the consumption of land for development purposes, we may see that ourselves as rapid growth in Florida means land consumption and expansion of communities. At this time I am actively looking
Don't worry about the tent, I will have an apartment in the hangar for use anytime you desire to fly with us. Now about that Libelle, us Purist is what is keeping this sport alive, our participation in clubs, and catching a tow from a commercial operatorThanks, Bob. One of the things that's keeping people out of soaring is the perceived cost. Sorry I can't fund 10 acres or an $80k ship with a ClearNav so guess I should move on. Or, rock on with Libelle and tent.Last of the big spenders, only ten or none. I have ten people already verbally committed, I will let you pitch a tent and use the porta potty. Old Bob, The PuristThe remaining lots would be available for hangar home construction sites, or hangar with an RV pad. Owners would be able to sell their properties at their own discretion.Count me in for a quarter-acre🤷
I spent the past few days looking at location property and have discussed this plan with many club members, you may be surprised at how many individuals have shown interest.
Well, we would like to keep things rolling here on the beautiful coastline of South Florida, it would be sad to see more soaring clubs and commercial operators head into the sunset.
On another note I informed my friend Dave that there will be no more Christmas cards coming his way, a huge price to pay for buying a motorglider. Old Bob, The Purist
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